Patricia Jane Roberts Miller

Patricia Jane Roberts Miller of Salem passed away peacefully on March 6 at the age of 95 with

family members at her side. Pat was born in Oakland, California May 26, 1917 to Louise Hazel

Peterson Roberts and John Jepson Roberts. Pat moved with her parents and younger sister Mary to Stockton, California where she attended Stockton High School and graduated with a teaching degree from University of the Pacific and became a member of Alpha Theta Tau which became Kappa Alpha Theta. Her grandchildren often heard the story of her future husband and love of her life, Walter's visit to her 5th grade classroom in Stockton's Roosevelt School in the fall of 1942 with a proposal of marriage. She said "yes" on the spot! Walter D. Miller, an Army Air Corps Second Lieutenant and test pilot and Pat were married in Stockton on November 19, 1942 immediately moving to Colorado Springs, Colorado where Walt was stationed.

After World War II ended, Pat and Walt settled in Stayton, Oregon where they raised sons Rob and John and owned and operated Mt. Jefferson Lumber Company in nearby Lyons, Oregon.

Pat was active in the community, as a cub scout leader, founding member of the Stayton Golf Course, an avid bridge player and later, tennis player among other activities. She created beautiful birthday and holiday celebrations for her family and passed down treasured family recipes. Roses were Pat's gardening passion, and she always arranged lovely bouquets when the roses were in bloom.

Pat and Walt settled in Salem in 1976 and Pat continued to be an active golfer at Illahe where she and Walt were founding members. They expanded the forestry business to traditional agriculture and diversified real estate.

After Walt passed away in 1996, Pat resumed a very active life living independently into her late 80's including the annual winter months in Maui which she and Walt enjoyed for 40 years. It was the chore of watering her large garden that convinced her a move to the Capitol Manor was necessary. Throughout, Pat attended her seven grandchildren's many activities, held season tickets at the Oregon Symphony in Salem, socialized with friends, participated in several book clubs and exercise classes, faithfully worshiped at St. Paul's Episcopal church and loved spending time at her beach house on the Oregon coast with family.

Sister Mary Roberts Norman was her best friend and Pat loved the trips back to Stockton to see Mary and Bob and her wonderful nephews Rob and Tom and their growing families. She remained connected with lifelong friends from the Stockton area. Her Christmas card list was long and varied as she corresponded with friends around the world.

Pat was blessed with excellent health until the last few months of her life. She was dubbed the "energizer bunny" as she seldom sat down even while on vacation.

A private family celebration of Pat's life will be held in the Spring when she will be interred at Willamette National Cemetery with her beloved Walt. The family wishes to thank the staff at Capitol Manor and her doctors for the excellent care she received during the past few months.

Donations in her memory may be made to St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 1444 Liberty St. SE, Salem Oregon 97302 or Family Building Blocks, 2425 Lancaster Drive NE, Salem 97305. Arrangements are by Virgil T. Golden Funeral Service.

Virgil T. Golden Funeral Service

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